See priestcraft in All languages combined, or Wiktionary
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"ref": "1863, Augustus De Morgan, A Budget of Paradoxes:",
"text": "There is philosophercraft as well as priestcraft, both from one source, both of one spirit. In English cities and towns, the minister of religion has been tamed: so many weapons are bared against him when he obtrudes his office in a dictatory manner, that, as a rule, there is no more quiet and modest member of society than the urban clergyman.",
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"ref": "1981, William Irwin Thompson, The Time Falling Bodies Take to Light: Mythology, Sexuality and the Origins of Culture, London: Rider/Hutchinson & Co., page 172:",
"text": "One of the most complex of all the poems in the mythological cycle is \"Inanna's Descent into the Nether World.\" This work does not have the air of a dairymaid's song but rather seems to be an expression of priestcraft, astrology, and an investigation into the nature of time.",
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"ref": "2016 May 2, Kelvin Holdsworth, “The Seven Actual Marks of Mission”, in Thurible.net:",
"text": "Whilst caring for a congregation is fundamental, it is a long way from being the only tool in the priestcraft toolbox.",
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"text": "In pious times, ere priestcraft did begin, before polygamy was made a sin",
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"ref": "1831, The Book of Mormon 2 Nephi 26:29",
"text": "He commandeth that there shall be no priestcrafts; for, behold, priestcrafts are that men preach and set themselves up for a light unto the world, that they may get gain and praise of the world; but they seek not the welfare of Zion."
},
{
"ref": "1891, Horace (Horatio) Smith, Address to a Mummy",
"text": "Perhaps thou wert a priest,--if so, my struggles / Are vain, for priestcraft never owns its juggles."
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"Priestly policy directed towards worldly ends."
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"(derogatory) Priestly policy directed towards worldly ends."
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},
{
"ref": "1831, The Book of Mormon 2 Nephi 26:29",
"text": "He commandeth that there shall be no priestcrafts; for, behold, priestcrafts are that men preach and set themselves up for a light unto the world, that they may get gain and praise of the world; but they seek not the welfare of Zion."
},
{
"ref": "1891, Horace (Horatio) Smith, Address to a Mummy",
"text": "Perhaps thou wert a priest,--if so, my struggles / Are vain, for priestcraft never owns its juggles."
}
],
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"Priestly policy directed towards worldly ends."
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"(derogatory) Priestly policy directed towards worldly ends."
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}
Download raw JSONL data for priestcraft meaning in English (3.5kB)
This page is a part of the kaikki.org machine-readable English dictionary. This dictionary is based on structured data extracted on 2025-12-23 from the enwiktionary dump dated 2025-12-02 using wiktextract (6fdc867 and 9905b1f). The data shown on this site has been post-processed and various details (e.g., extra categories) removed, some information disambiguated, and additional data merged from other sources. See the raw data download page for the unprocessed wiktextract data.
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